The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-03-09
HENRY /. BIOSSiT, Business Manager.

uIllcI itS hilluiy pdufoilaSe. InS0eau
of listless white-face | maidens. we may
expect to see "Hebes.' and each sue
ceeding generation will develop more
perfect type of womanhood. The new
"Woman's College," which is being
erected in our city, is to be on the most
advanced scale, the grounds attached
to it will be for the physical culture of
the fair students; a gymnasium will
not be missing from the building, and
every thing that can add to the mental
and bodily growth and expansion will
find its place within its walls.
But we need not belong to a college
class, or indeed, any organization, in
order to take the exercise so necessary
to us, although it is true that we are
more likely to do it if we have others
to spur us on. Every girl who is bless
ed with moderately good health should
walk a mile or two every day, and feel
all the better for it, while in reality
most of them loll around on their
lounges or beds the greater portion of
the day to be ready for the evening
ball or german. That is the reason so
few of our girls have any "go" in
them-they waste all of their energies
dancing before they are conscious OF
their mistake. and so are disinclined to
exert themselves by walking, or playing
tennis, or lifting dumb-bells. The tri-
cycle is the most delightful means Of
taking an airing that is open to the
bellies who are too weary to foot it.
These vehicles have found great favor
with the Washington girls, many Of
whom can be seen any fine day speed
ing along through the bracing air with
sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks to
indicate their benefit They have an
advantage over us, however, in the
smoothness of their streets, for it
would only be possible for us to ride on
the suburbs should we adopt the tri-
cycle, and then, as some of our MAN.
mas would properly suggest, the sub
urbs are not sufficiently protected
from that unclassified portion of So
ciety, the tramp, to make them the
most desirable place for exercising. So
| l guess we will have to resign the COM
Portable invention, and all of us who
are not happy in the possession of a
gentle saddle-horse upon which to take
a run across the country every MORN
ing will have to look up some feasible
and inexpensive plan of recupera-
ating.
Here is where the country girls have
the advantage over us. Their uncon-
ventional life makes it possible for
them to avail themselves of the many
opportunities Nature has provided.
What glorious chance the girl has
who lives near river. Its resources
are two-fold. In winter she can skate
to her hearts content, and thus get her
self into a fine, healthy glow. In sum-
mer what more interesting and bene-
fetal than to pull a stroke with some
expert college friend? Baseball is an
other sport in which the country girl
may develop her muscle without being
considered masculine; and, indeed,
there is no more exciting and interest
ing pastime for girls than a game with
a "good nine" Its only drawback is
that it will enlarge the hands, which,
to girl, is never a recommendation
There was young ladies' seminary
in one city where regular nine played
every day at recess, and at times the
game would become so interesting that
the professor in charge would omit the
lessons to see the result Before thu
session ended one young lady had her
eye nearly put out, another a broken
arm, several boosted sprained fingers
to say nothing of the broken window,
panes on the side of the house facing
yardwards; but as it was all in the
physical culture service no one was
blamed. I will not predict such re
suits from the classes just organized
for it is undoubtedly good thing, ant
it is to be hoped that all of our girl
who can will enroll their names at once
-,Sele,se, IN Baltimore american.